Tennessee is added as the 16th state in the union. It becomes the business center for country music during the 20th century, and the birthplace for Eddy Arnold, Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney and Chris Young, among others

Oct 11, 1809

Meriwether Lewis, an explorer who helped unlock the American Northwest, dies in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The Lewis & Clark Expedition is referenced in Ed Bruce's 1980 country hit "The Last Cowboy Song"

Jun 8, 1845

President Andrew Jackson dies of tuberculosis at his home, The Hermitage, in Nashville. As a colonel, he helped fight the "bloody British" during the War of 1812 and is referenced in the Johnny Horton country hit, "The Battle Of New Orleans"

Oct 3, 1854

Robert Craig is born in Giles County, Tennessee. His son, Francis Craig, writes the 1947 pop hit "Near You," which becomes a country hit for George Jones & Tammy Wynette 30 years later

Jul 28, 1862

Fannie Frost is born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Her son, Francis Craig, writes the 1947 pop hit "Near You," which becomes a country hit for George Jones & Tammy Wynette in 1977

Oct 7, 1870

Uncle Dave Macon is born in Smart Station, Tennessee. The singer, comedian and banjo player becomes an early star in country music through his membership in the Grand Ole Opry. He enters the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966

Jul 22, 1874

Obed Pickard is born in Ashland City, Tennessee. Following his 1926 debut on the Grand Ole Opry, he becomes the first singing star on the WSM radio show, which is dominated by instrumental string bands in its early years

May 25, 1875

Dr. Humphrey Bate is born in Sumner County, Tennessee. His band, The Possum Hunters, is the first to play country music on WSM, which becomes the home of the Grand Ole Opry. The Possum Hunters are part of the Opry for its first decade

Dec 17, 1876

Fiddler Henry Bandy is born in Macon County, Tennessee. He becomes one of the early soloists on the Grand Ole Opry after its inception in 1925 but stays with the program less than three years

Apr 16, 1877

Neill Acuff is born in Maynardville, Tennessee. At age 26, he fathers Roy Acuff

RolandNote.com is a detailed country music database compiled by veteran music journalist Tom Roland that chronicles more than 60,000 events and 10,000 recordings.

Discover what happened in country music on a particular date or in a particular month, get the history of your favorite country songs or your favorite country artists. From Gene Autry to George Strait, from the Carter Family to Carrie Underwood, from Jimmie Rodgers to Jason Aldean, from Hank Williams to Hunter Hayes.